Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner says giving people hope is the key to steering them away from a life of crime.

Ipswich Star: Police remain at the scene of McDonalds in Ravenswood this morning Picture: ARCHANTPolice remain at the scene of McDonalds in Ravenswood this morning Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Tim Passmore said this morning he was ‘devastated’ to hear of another stabbing in Ipswich and urged anyone with information to contact police.

Police were called to the McDonalds restaurant, in Ravenswood Avenue, at around 7.30pm last night after receiving reports that a 16-year-old had been stabbed.

The victim is currently in hospital in a critical condition. Four people have been arrested in connection to the attack.

Mr Passmore said he was devastated to hear of the incident.

He said the way to tackle violent crime in the long term is to improve opportunities and prospects for young people so that criminality is not seen as an attractive path in life.

“I’m absolutely devastated and shocked to hear yet another appalling attack,” he said.

“It goes without saying I am so, so sorry to hear this and I do hope the victim pulls through.

“My personal thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

“I have got to re emphasise the way forward in this dreadful situation is for all of us, every single person, charity, public and private body, to pull together and tackle the situation.

“We are not going to police our way out of this.

“We meed more opportunities for young people to make sure they have the right circumstances, the right skills for employment.

“We have got to give people hope.

“A life without hope is one of despair.

“We cannot afford that to take hold because it will get worse.

“There is no doubt this will cost money, I will continue funding but we need some long term solutions.

“It grieves me to see these sorts of situations taking place.

“We need to help those tangled up in it to get free and make sure the next generation stay away from it too.”

Mr Passmore said the violence in Ipswich could have a wider impact across the county.

“This affects everyone in Suffolk,” he said.

“If we allow it to get worse it wrecks that area of Ipswich, then it wrecks out county town and then Suffolk PLC as well.

“Please can people who know anything report it to police.

“We have got to have that information come through.

“If we are going to tackle this together we have to get this sort of information passed on.

“For goodness sake report it on 101 or use Crimestoppers anonymously.”